IT work is hard. Being happy isn’t complicated, but it is hard, too. IT people oftentimes carry the stigma of being grumpy. I can be a stereotype, but sometimes that label is earned. And I get it. Technology work is challenging. If everything works, it’s thankless. If something breaks, end-users can gripe and wonder if you do anything […]

I’ve completed about 2/3 of the Stanly.edu class, so it’s time for an update on my progress. Here are 4 takeaway lessons from my VCP certification program. Hello, and thanks for joining me on this (unorthodox) VMware certification journey! I’m trying to get the vCenter Professional Certification for as little money and as creatively as […]

Experience Required: 1-3 years How many times has your heart sank upon reading that line in a job ad? If you’re like most- too many to count. It’s a classic catch-22. You need a job to get experience but, you can’t get a job because they won’t hire you without experience. I think we’ve all […]

Do you find yourself explaining away or even hiding you non-IT work history? Do you feel ashamed by it, as if you were inadequate somehow for not “seeing the light”? You don’t have to be! I’ll show you here how you can be proud of your past career and leverage it, especially if you’re just getting […]

Hello, VCPs-in-training (or soon to be)! Thanks for keeping up with this special series on VCP certification. This is the 4th installment of my completely unauthorized VMware certification guide. If this is your first visit, welcome! Go here and find the first article to get up to speed on everything. Books and simulators will only […]

Welcome back, and thanks for joining me again for the latest installment of the Becoming VCP series, where I chronicle my path to getting the vCenter Professional Certification to pave the way for you! So, after my first week and interaction with Stanly.edu, I’m here to deliver my impressions. You’ll see that it’s not quite what […]

In my last post, I laid out the basics of what this VCP certification guide guide is about and where it is going. Today, I’m going give you the down-and-dirty details, including overall approach, actual techniques, and what you’ll need to get going. But first- lemme take a selfie let me show you the difference […]

Ok- I’ve been working in VMware’s vSphere product for almost 2 years. It’s high time I get VCP certified. This is the beginning of a multi-part series where I will chronicle my path- and the pitfalls- of getting VCP6-DCV. I’m doing this to pave the way for you. I can’t find a comprehensive guide that’s […]

Sometimes you have to reinvent. Most of us have at least a basic plan and course for our IT careers, but life tends to have a way of making us drift off track. If you’re like most people, that’s happened to you. Here are 6 practical steps you can take to reboot your career and […]

Freelancing in IT is scary and good (maybe scary good. But anyway). Yes- both at the same time. The money you can make is ridiculous, and the time flexibility is unreal. (In fact, I know I’ll freelance again, because- well- I’ve seen too much.) Still, especially when you’re new, it’s easy to make mistakes- mistakes that can […]